Chevron has identified an additional gas-bearing interval at the Nargis-2 well in Egypt’s Mediterranean waters. Appraisal drilling also confirmed that reservoirs encountered by Nargis-1 extend to the area examined by the new well.

Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources published the Nargis-2 drilling results on 24 October 2026. The well’s final depth exceeded 5,000 metres, with net gas pay of up to 35 metres. The ministry described the additional interval as having high-quality reservoir properties.

The drilling programme assessed the extent of the Nargis discovery and tested deeper formations, including high-pressure, high-temperature intervals. The results will inform further technical work to establish the discovery’s resource potential and examine development options.

Drilling began in May, with Chevron and its partners working alongside the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS). Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawi was aboard the drillship Stena Forth when operations began.

Nargis was discovered in 2022 and remains undeveloped. The ministry said the latest findings would help advance appraisal work and preparations to develop the field commercially.

The ministry’s broader policy aims to increase domestic gas output by encouraging more exploration and accelerating work on discoveries awaiting development. It also seeks to turn discovered resources into reserves suitable for development and production.

Badawi stressed the need to speed up the evaluation and development of gas discoveries that remain untapped. He also called for closer cooperation with energy companies from abroad.

Chevron operates Nargis with Italy’s Eni, the UAE’s Mubadala Energy and Egypt’s Tharwa Petroleum.